For an after-school snack, start with the ingredients and fat value per 100g rather than assuming you need a specially labelled reduced-fat product: the plain raisins listed by M&S contain 0.4g fat per 100g, while Whitworths Sunny Raisins contain 0.9g. Timing matters too. The NHS advises serving dried fruit with meals rather than between them to reduce the risk of tooth decay, particularly when choosing food for young children.
Compare pack size and ingredients if you need something portable. A small pack makes the amount visible; a larger bag lets you portion fruit yourself. Neither format changes the NHS advice to serve dried fruit with meals rather than between them.
The eating occasion matters as much as the product label. NHS guidance for toddlers says dried fruit such as raisins should be given with meals, not as a snack between meals, because its sugars can contribute to tooth decay. Check the exact pack for age and choking warnings.
Plain raisins, mixed dried fruit and fruit medleys can have different recipes. For example, Sainsbury’s mixed dried fruit includes candied peel, while M&S Super Fruit Medley includes juice-infused berries. Read the ingredient list alongside nutrition values per 100g.
Decide when the fruit will be eaten, then compare the exact product’s fat value, ingredients and pack size.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Compare fat per 100g on the nutrition panel, not just wording on the front. M&S lists 0.4g per 100g for its raisins; Whitworths lists 0.9g per 100g for Sunny Raisins. | I’m looking for a lower-fat option, but I want to compare the actual figures rather than rely on a reduced-fat label. |
| Eating occasion | Plan whether the fruit will be part of a meal or eaten between meals. The NHS advises dried fruit at mealtimes to reduce tooth-decay risk. | If my child is hungry straight after school, I need to decide whether this is part of their meal rather than a separate dried-fruit snack. |
| Ingredients and warnings | Check for candied peel, juice-infused fruit, coatings or nuts. Read allergen and age-suitability statements on the specific pack; M&S says its Super Fruit Medley is not suitable for children under 36 months because of a potential choking hazard. | I’d prefer plain fruit, or I need to know what has been added before choosing a medley for a child. |
| Portion format | Check the weight of an individual box or portion out a larger pack. The NHS says 30g of dried fruit counts as one 5 A Day portion; that figure does not override its mealtime advice. | A small box would make the amount easy to see, while a larger bag would mean portioning it before serving. |
A low fat value does not settle whether dried fruit fits a between-meal routine. The NHS advises eating it at mealtimes to reduce tooth-decay risk.
Compare fat per 100g for your original goal, then decide when the child will eat it.
Sainsbury’s mixed dried fruit includes candied peel made with sugar and glucose-fructose syrup; M&S Super Fruit Medley includes juice-infused berries. The word “fruit” alone does not describe the full recipe.
Read the ingredient list and the exact pack’s allergen and child-suitability statements before comparing nutrition panels.
Pack weights and individual portions differ. The NHS’s 30g figure describes a 5 A Day portion, not a required serving for every child.
Check the pack weight and portion the fruit before serving if that helps you manage the amount.
Warnings differ by product. M&S states that its Super Fruit Medley is not suitable for children under 36 months because of a potential choking hazard.
Check the current pack for age, choking and allergen information rather than carrying assumptions over from another fruit snack.
These examples show why the exact recipe matters; a brand name alone does not establish the ingredients or nutrition of every product in its range.
Its range includes raisins in small Sunny Raisins boxes.
Its dried-fruit range includes individual fruits as well as mixed products.
Its fruit-snack range includes plain raisins and more elaborate medleys.
Tesco separates dried fruit, fruit snacks, raisin snacks and fruit-and-nut mixes in its range.
Sunsweet’s UK range focuses on prunes and prune products.
These options include small-pack freeze-dried mango, figs, prunes and red dates. Compare their ingredients and pack formats for your intended meal or snack occasion; they are not all plain raisins or interchangeable child-sized portions.
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The 10g pack makes the amount easy to see when planning food for after school. This is freeze-dried mango, with a crisp texture rather than the texture of conventional dried fruit.
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The 175g bag is an option if you prefer to divide dried fruit into portions yourself. Check the ingredients and pack warnings when deciding whether these figs suit the child and eating occasion.
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The prunes are individually wrapped within the 500g pack, which may make it easier to take out a chosen amount. The listed ingredients include low-polymer isomaltose, so this is not simply plain dried fruit; check the current label if that distinction matters to you.
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These pitted red dates come in a 280g bag, so you would need to choose an amount before serving. Check the current pack’s ingredients and child-suitability information rather than assuming it matches another dried-fruit product.
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The 700g tub needs portioning if you want a set amount. These prunes are in fruit juice from concentrate rather than being plain dried fruit, and the pack warns that stones or pit fragments may remain; check carefully before serving to a child.
Not necessarily. Compare fat per 100g on the products you are considering: M&S lists 0.4g for its raisins and Whitworths lists 0.9g for Sunny Raisins. Check the exact pack rather than assuming every dried-fruit recipe has the same value.
Yes. The NHS says 30g of dried fruit counts as one 5 A Day portion, equivalent to around 80g of fresh fruit. It also advises eating dried fruit at mealtimes, not between meals, to reduce tooth-decay risk.
The NHS advises giving toddlers dried fruit such as raisins with meals rather than as a snack between meals because the sugars can cause tooth decay. If after-school food is separate from a meal, choose the eating occasion before deciding on dried fruit.
No. Recipes differ: M&S Super Fruit Medley includes juice-infused cranberries and blueberries, while Sainsbury’s mixed dried fruit includes candied peel made with sugar and glucose-fructose syrup. Compare ingredient lists as well as nutrition values.
Check the specific pack for age, choking and allergen information. For example, M&S states that its Super Fruit Medley is not suitable for children under 36 months because of a potential choking hazard; that warning should not be assumed to describe every dried-fruit product.